March 18, 2026
Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about seasonal jobs with the Park Authority, EQAC, Earth Day Fairfax, Electrify DC’s Healthy Homes Fair, free trees and a recognition for Historic Huntley. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is now hiring hundreds of seasonal team members to support parks, recreation centers, nature centers, historic sites, golf courses, and pools across the county. With flexible schedules and meaningful, community-focused work, these roles are perfect for teens, college students, educators on break and anyone looking to make a positive impact this summer. Seasonal opportunities include lifeguards, camp counselors and directors, park attendants, cashiers, maintenance staff, marina attendants, and other leadership roles. Every team member plays an important part in creating safe, welcoming, and memorable experiences for residents and visitors all season long. Working with the Fairfax County Park Authority means gaining hands-on experience, building valuable professional skills, and growing your leadership potential, all while spending your summer in an active, outdoor environment. Apply early because positions fill quickly. Full job descriptions, qualifications, and details on upcoming open hire sessions can be found online. Explore all Fairfax County Park Authority employment opportunities by visiting the Jobs webpage, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/jobs-internships. Have questions? Email FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Do you know a current high school sophomore or junior in Fairfax County interested in environmental science or policy? Encourage them to apply to become the next student member on the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council, or EQAC. EQAC is an advisory group appointed by the Board of Supervisors to provide advice on environmental matters. The council is seeking a student member to fill the July 2026 through June 2027 term. Interested students are encouraged to apply by April 12. For more information and to apply, visit fairfaxcounty.gov and search “Environmental Quality Advisory Council.”
Earth Day Fairfax is around the corner! Fairfax County’s largest, family-friendly Earth Day celebration will take place at Lake Fairfax Park on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fun and entertainment will include live music performances by the D.C. area’s own Recycling Pirates, Proverbs Reggae Band and Wildflower Revival and an appearance by WUSA-9 meteorologist Topper Shutt. Hands-on activities, games and entertainment will include outdoor discovery, interactive nature exhibits, Earth-friendly vendors, free giveaways, animals from Frying Pan Farm Park, and a giant rock-climbing wall. The event will also include a craft beer garden and food vendors. Admission is free. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Stay up to date with the latest event details at online at fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/earth-day-festival. Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information, email Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Join Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination at Electrify DC’s Healthy Homes Fair on March 21 at Catholic University. This is a free, family-friendly expo from 1-5 p.m. showcasing clean energy products, services, and hands-on workshops for homeowners, renters, and professionals. Explore an appliance “petting zoo,” induction cooking demos, e-bike and EV test rides, family activities, food trucks, and more, plus one-on-one coaching with electrification experts. OEEC will be there to share information about its Energy Compass program and other resources that can help homeowners make home energy upgrades that improve comfort and save energy costs. For more information and to register to attend, visit ElectrifyDC.org/fair.
Find other county podcasts at fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And for 24/7 news and information from and about Fairfax County, listen to Fairfax County Government Radio online at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio.
In an initiative to expand the tree canopy on private property, the Urban and Community Forestry Division has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away one-gallon trees to residents countywide. The trees are regionally native, non-invasive species carefully chosen for Fairfax County’s climate and growing conditions. The program also will help homeowners lower energy costs and improve neighborhood resilience. The trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can sign up and select their trees at: get.arborday.org/fairfaxcountydirectship. Up to two trees will be brought directly to resident homes. The delivery also includes stakes and protective tree shelters to support healthy establishment. The county currently boasts approximately 55% tree canopy cover, with an expansion goal to 60% by 2030 to address climate impacts like urban heat and local air quality challenges. Trees planted near homes provide natural shade that can reduce summer cooling demand, lower energy use, and decrease carbon emissions. Expanding tree canopy also improves water quality, reduces stormwater runoff, mitigates urban heat island effects, and enhances overall neighborhood livability.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce that Historic Huntley, a 19th-century villa near the entrance to Huntley Meadows Park, has been named to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a program of the National Park Service. The Network to Freedom works to honor, preserve and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. Historic Huntley preserves the stories of three enslaved men, Bob, Sam Humphreys and Sandy, who risked everything on their journey to freedom in the 1820s and 1830s. To attain the new designation, Park Authority staff documented Huntley’s role as a plantation in Fairfax County and the lives of the enslaved men who escaped. Established through an Act of Congress in 1998, the Network to Freedom program works in collaboration with local, state and federal entities, as well as individuals and organizations to create a "network" of sites, facilities and programs with a verifiable connection to the Underground Railroad. These sites are not limited to safehouses and may include any location that played a role in a freedom seeker’s journey. By joining the Network to Freedom, the Park Authority, as the property owner and operator, has access to new opportunities for grant funding that may be used for preservation, restoration and interpretation of the site. This designation also allows for network sites to draw support for preservation and commemorative efforts. Historic Huntley is the third historic Park Authority site to attain this designation. Sully Historic Site was added in 2003, and Riverbend Park joined the network in 2011.
Finally, subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.
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That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.
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